This program has many similar tools that Adobe Photoshop offers. When I look for photo editing programs, I look for tools such as the lasso tool (polygon), the rubberstamp tool, burn and dodge tools, and the capability of working with layers. This program offers all of these tools and capabilities. In addition, there are also several shape and vector tools that are offered.
The tool selection for this program is comparable to Adode Photoshop. The important tools that are needed to do advanced editing are available, such as lasso tool (with the polygon option), magic wand, rubberstamp, bandaid, burn and dodge tools.
The tool selection is somewhat limited compared to Adobe Photoshop, Sumo Paint, and Pixlr. There is a selection tool, but it is difficult to use. Other tools that are available include: Text, cut tool, crop, draw/paint, erase, paint bucket, and shape tools.
Interface
The software is very easy to use. You do not need to download anything or even register to use the product. Once an image is uploaded, it is very similar to using Adobe Photoshop with the tool bar on the left, layers on the right, and other options on the top.
The format of the program is very similar to that of Adobe Photoshop. The tool bar is on the left, layers on the left, and other enhancing options on the top. No registration is needed, however, an account can be made in order to save photos to an online account. The software does not have to be downloaded as well. Photos are uploaded to the internet instead.
This program is a little more difficult to navigate. There is no preview window, and therefore editing must be undone if it is not desired. It is hard to determine what will be done to the photo before the option is selected. The history of editing is shown, which is beneficial. The user can resort back to prior versions at any time.
Speed
There were no delays when using the program. Uploading photos takes longer depending on the size of the file. The speed is comparable to Adobe Photoshop.
There were no delays when using the program. Uploading the images to the internet was quick and easy. There were no delays when editing the photos as well.
There are some delays when using the program. Once an option has been selected, the photo must reload. Then, once the option has been applied, it must reload again.
Export
Photos can be saved to a personal computer or to a Sumo account, once created. It does not cost anything to create an account. No exporting needs to occur.
You have several options when it comes to saving images. You can save to your computer, to a Pixlr account, or export to Facebook or Flickr.
Photos can be saved is several ways. Photos can be saved to the computer in many different formats. Photos can be saved to other websites such as Myspace or posted on Twitter. You can also save to the Lunapic account, which allows for other sharing options, such as embedding into other websites.
Flash/HTML
There are not flash capabilties. Images are saved to the computer and therefore HTML code is not used or needed.
There are no Flash options with this program.
There are a few animated filters which can be saved to the computer as a GIF or embedded into other hosting sites using HTML code.
Max. file size
4095px by 4095px.
4000px by 4000px
1010px by 1010px. Note: If original images are too large, they much be resized before uploading to Lunapic.
Max. resolution
The resolution setting cannot be manipulated with this program.
The resolution setting cannot be manipulated with this program.
The resolution setting cannot be manipulated with this program.
Cost
Free; No account needed; No download needed.
Free; No account needed; No dowloading necessary.
Free; A free account is needed only to save images/animations to in order to embed into other sites. Images can be manipulated and saved to the computer without an account.
Layers
There is the capability of working with layers. The trick to using the layers is closing the info bar at the top right of the page. After this is minimized, the layers then become visible.
There is the option of working with layers. Images can be cut out and pasted as a new layer on a different photo. The trickiest thing is figuring out how to resize the pasted layers, which you use the free transform option under Edit.
There is no capability of working with layers.
Effects
There are many different filters to choose from, very much like Adobe Photoshop. There are blurr filters, distortion filters, as well as other artistic filters.
There are many different filters and enhancing options. The amount of option is comparable to Adobe Photoshop, with around 30 different filters and other artistic options.
There are several different filters and effects that are available. Many filters are unique and artistic, however there are a few that are cheesy and childish (i.e. the dollarbill filter). This program offers animation filters which is a unique feature.
Killer feature
One of my favorite filters in the 3-D feature filter. This allows the creator to make a 3-D image from the photo. I used this tool to make the bubbles with the lizard reflections in the photo above.
The interface is so similar to Adobe Photoshop, it is very easy to just jump right in. There are only minor changes, such as the free transform to resize, and the lack of the control z option to undo.
The animation filters are one of my favorite features. I added a water reflection to my photo, and there are many more options as well. Again, while some may be a little cheesy, there are some that add a subtle effect.
As an art teacher, I am always looking for software and programs that my students can use at home as well as at school. All my students are required to learn and use Adobe Photoshop. My Digital Photography classes learn advance editing techniques and processes to create several projects which are presented in a wiki portfolio. My Ceramics students are required to take photos of their work and create a wiki portfolio of their work as well. While I give my students plenty of time to work in class, the majority of my students like to have the option to work on their projects at home as well. However, not all the students can afford Adobe Photoshop. Because of this, I am always looking for programs or software that the students can use at home that are free, but also comparable to Adobe Photoshop. In the past, I have recommended Gimp and Splashup to my students. While Gimp is a good program, many students have issues with downloading the program or are not allowed to download programs from the internet to their home computer. Therefore, programs that do not have to be downloaded are usually a better option. Unfortunately, many of the programs that do not have to downloaded do not offer sufficient tools and editing options. As I went through the list (and yes I went through them all), I had several things that I was looking for in a "good" program to tell my students about. The list is as follows:
Is the program free? Most students cannot afford to pay for expensive photo editing software.
Does the program have to be downloaded? Most students/parents do not feel comfortable downloading free software from the internet.
Do you have to register to use the program? Some students do not like registering or may forget their username and password.
Can photos be saved to the computer as well as an online account? This allows students to access their photos from both home as well as at school.
Can the program be accessed at school? Many sites are blocked by the filtering system (for example lunapic.com).
How is the program designed/interface? It is easiest for students to use a program that is similar to the one they are use to. Since the students use Adobe Photoshop Elements at school, I look for programs that are similar to this. Similarities allow the students to transfer their prior knowledge to the new program.
What tools are available? I require the use of layers in most of the projects I assign. Selection tools such as the lasso or polygon lasso is an important tool for the projects. I also look for filters and artistic effects that can be added. Good programs also offer text tools and burn/dodge tools that the students use quite often.
Can layers be added? When creating complex photo projects, layering is a must. All by one project that I assign requires the use of layers. A program that does not have this capability is useless to my students.
I have already recommended two programs to my photography students: Pixlr and Sumo Paint. These meet the requirements that I have mentioned above. Since the students have a project coming due next week and they missed so many school days because of the snow, they are required to use one of the programs over the weekend to work on their project. I cannot wait to see what they will create!
Graphic Software Comparison
Software/Website
Photo Creation
Original Photo
SumoPaint 3.0
(opens in new window)(sumopaint.com/app/)
Pixlr
(opens in new window)(pixlr.com/editor/)
Lunapic
(opens in new window)(lunapic.com/editor/)
(sumopaint.com/app/)
(pixlr.com)
(lunapic.com/editor/)
As an art teacher, I am always looking for software and programs that my students can use at home as well as at school. All my students are required to learn and use Adobe Photoshop. My Digital Photography classes learn advance editing techniques and processes to create several projects which are presented in a wiki portfolio. My Ceramics students are required to take photos of their work and create a wiki portfolio of their work as well. While I give my students plenty of time to work in class, the majority of my students like to have the option to work on their projects at home as well. However, not all the students can afford Adobe Photoshop. Because of this, I am always looking for programs or software that the students can use at home that are free, but also comparable to Adobe Photoshop. In the past, I have recommended Gimp and Splashup to my students. While Gimp is a good program, many students have issues with downloading the program or are not allowed to download programs from the internet to their home computer. Therefore, programs that do not have to be downloaded are usually a better option. Unfortunately, many of the programs that do not have to downloaded do not offer sufficient tools and editing options. As I went through the list (and yes I went through them all), I had several things that I was looking for in a "good" program to tell my students about. The list is as follows:
I have already recommended two programs to my photography students: Pixlr and Sumo Paint. These meet the requirements that I have mentioned above. Since the students have a project coming due next week and they missed so many school days because of the snow, they are required to use one of the programs over the weekend to work on their project. I cannot wait to see what they will create!